New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1887-07-06
Wayside Sketches.
Writer, for the RevieaO B
Arthur r. Fisher.

arthur F.. Fisher.
Ever since the times of Herodotus
with his tales of African wonder and of
Marc0kolo with his Tartar narratives it
has been the custom Of literary inclined
travellers to make public their observa-
tons. In the ancient times, even up to
the invention and application of the
steam engine, the chief value of these
descriptions consisted in the instruction
they afforded to all; in these days how
ever, where travel is so universal, any
sketches written of lands serve simply
to brighten up the picture of memory
Of such as have once gone over the
scenes.
Having duly disposed of my packag-
es and bundles, I proceeded to observe
the surroundings; the travelling agent,
that significant, selfimportant, don't
care-for-an -body-except-my-self man;
the venerable independent englishman
with mountain of peanuts and orange
shells about his seat, just at present en-
gagged in extracting the juice of a lem
on; the maid of mystical age, asking a
gentlemanly bachelor who sat across
from her to favor her with cup of wa
ter; the bridal pair enjoying that bliss
full heaven on earth-in railroad car
all were seemingly unconscious of
the fact that others but themselves were
present all were wishing and hoping
for, maybe calculating on future pros
poets and your reporter was writing
sketches.
Samuel ohnson once'said All green
fields are alike, sir; let US take walk
down Fleet Street, This great lexico-
grapher was seemingly no lover of ma
ture or else a melancholy character of
the type generally denominated as book
worms; for who, going northward from
New Ulm, would not find greatinter.
est in the immense fields Of wheat
soon to supply the wheat Of the north.
west-covering the hills with verdant
green interspersed with acres of forest
some in their native grandeur and 9TH
ers partly trimmed out and suited to
complement Byron's words: ..There
is a pleasure in the painless woods
The call Of Sleepy Eye however awoke
us from our dream and meant for me
to stop over The inhabitants of this
hopeful town are Of an independent, de-
cidedly american like cast of mind,
confident beyond all believe, and to
hear. them talk you would think you
had just arrived at the metropolis Of
Minnesota. It has about 1900 inhabi-
tants and is q growing little place.
Churches, schools, mills, banks, express
office. business blocks of brick and a
regular equipped fire department. with
water works, are its distinguishing fea-
lures.
Springfield, a town of about 500 in
habitan1s, was next visited. It enjoys
a prosperous season; everything seems
booming and whatisn't t, is made to seem
so. improvements are continually go
ing on and its prospects are bright.
From there to ST. Peter will be our
next trip taking us through some of the
finest farming lands in Minnesota. We
arrived duly at St. Peter, and with a
grip in each hand started for the bust
ness part of the town. On the way
| (about one mile) we heard one man
remark, that the R. r. company might
| just as we'll have built the depot half
way between this and the next station
thus using it for both, places and saw
ing building, and giving the public a
little more exercise.
The county court house is q building
that the citizens may be proud Of.
! Among other sights may be mentioned
the State Insane Hospital, Gustavus
/ Adolphus College, High School build.
ing, the numerous business blocks and
elegant churches.
| Having duly rested ourselves here
and taken in all there was to be seen
we bought 3 ticket for Dover, Olmstead
CO., Mimi, and soon the iron steed was
on its trip again with its load Of human
. ity; flying over the beautiful prairies OF
which the wealth and prosperity of the
northwest is founded. Dover is pref
!, lty little town with about 800 inhabi
tants, mostly retired farmers. There
are no great buildings, neither grea
enterprises, but tor one who enjoys !
! peaceful, quiet. rustic location, this il
[ the place. Around the village liv,
we'll to do farmers. all old settlers VIII
have for the last quarter century Of
more, titled the soil and raised theil
], stock. The farm residences are al
[ substantial structures, mostly Of bricl
and give the whole country . prosper
Gus, wealthy appearance.
St Charles ABOUT four miles from
. Dover, and in Winona Co. has abou
s 1900 pop. and . business like air abou
. it. A large carriage factory, wagol
shop and piow factory employs quite
number Of men and these with smalle
J concerns Of different character give th,
& whole 3 sort of factory -town-like look
There is also high school building
which deserves special notice; also Ga
library founded and upheld bY the cit
l9zens.